Summer Schedule

Next IRGS General Meeting

Tuesday, September 12 2017

10:00 am - 12:00 noon

Speaker: David Sawyer

Founder and CEO of The Story of Life (TSOLife)

"How to Interest Millennials in Family History"

David Sawyer provides a unique and fresh perspective focused on how technology experiences can act as a gateway into genealogy for younger generations, bridging the generational gap in families. He will demonstrate that learning one's family history is proven to positively impact and change the lives of adolescents. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of how to utilize specific Internet websites, apps, devices, and other technology tools to build family bonds and transfer the genealogist's passion to his or her children or grandchildren.

Large meeting room, 1st floor, Indian River County Main Library

Upcoming General Meetings

We meet monthly (September through May) on the second Tuesday of the month at the Indian River County Main Library in Vero Beach, Florida. The meetings begin at 10:00 am. A program/speaker follows at 11:00 am. Meetings are open to the public and free of charge.

September 12, 2017 "How to Interest Millennials in Family History" Speaker: David Sawyer, founder and CEO of The Story of Life

November 14, 2017 "Church and Religious Records: Their Use in Genealogical Research" Speaker: Rev. David McDonald, DMin, CG

December 12, 2017 Our annual meeting and holiday celebration

Indian River Genealogy Conference

April 14, 2018 - Vero Beach, Florida

Call for speakers

The Indian River Genealogical Society and the Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vero Beach are sponsoring the second annual Indian River Genealogy Conference on April 14, 2018.

Speaker proposals are now being accepted. We are hoping to have a wide range of topics that will appeal to an enthusiastic audience of researchers from beginner to advanced genealogists and family historians. We are asking for proposals to be submitted by September 15.

For more details on the submission process, please contact Debbie Garber at pres@irgs.org.

Support IRGS when you shop at Amazon

Now you can help support the work of the Indian River Genealogical Society when you shop at Amazon. Just click the "Get Started" button and log in as you always do to shop at Amazon. Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to IRGS. Thanks for your support!

The Indian River Genealogical Society Inc

Indian River Genealogy Society Day

April 18, 2017 was declared Indian River Genealogy Society Day by Vero Beach City Council

at the April Council Meeting in recognition of our Cemetery Project. Receiving the award

Indian River Obituary Index Update

The Indian River County (Florida) Obituary Index is current as of the last day of each month and now contains more than 110,700 names. Search the index and find out how you can access copies of obituaries at this link.

Anyone interested in helping us maintain and expand this index is welcome to join the volunteers at the Genealogy Department at the Indian River Main Library. You can email info@irgs.org for more information.

New Books in Our Library

Books are being added frequently to the great collection in the Genealogy Department of our Indian River County Main Library.

Check the online library catalog, or visit the Genealogy Department on the second floor of the IRC Main Library and inquire at the Genealogy Department's volunteer help desk.

RootsTech 2017

RootsTech, the largest genealogy conferences in the world, was held February 8-11, 2017 in Salt Lake City. Even though we were not in Salt Lake City, we can still take advantage of several FREE sessions, including the Keynote Addresses and selected classes.

To access the recorded sessions, CLICK HERE to go to the RootsTech Home Page - and Scroll Down. Just below "Did You Miss a Session?" you will see the four days. Click on one of the days to see the videos availalbe. Lick on one of the video pictures to view.

Genealogy Blogs

A great way to keep current with genealogy news is to follow the blog posts of experienced genealogists. Check out these links to Lisa Louise Cooke's Genealogy Gems, Jim Tanner's Genealogy's Star as well as other popular blogs.

Do you have a favorite popular genealogy blog that you would suggest for our list? Please send your suggestions to info@irgs.org along with the link to the blog.

Other Features

Indian River County Obituary Index

This index contains more than 110,700 names for obituaries appearing in Indian River County, Florida newspapers from 1913 through the present. Microfilm copies of of the newspapers are available at the Indian River Main Library in Vero Beach, FL. Go to the obituary index.

Surname Database

Visit our revised Surname database listing hundreds of surnames which are being researched by current IRGS members. With this new feature, individuals interested in making an inquiry can send an email directly to the member who is researching the name. The member's name and email address are not visible to the person making the inquiry.

Members can now access an index to the Indian River Genealogical Society Newsletter. Go to the Members Only tab. Click on the second item "Newsletter Index". You can access issues from 2007 forward in the Members Only section. Earlier issues are located in the Genealogy Department at the Indian River Main Library. We appreciate the diligent efforts of Aurie W. Morrison in making this index possible.